Sure, within hours of news last Thursday that Gary Williams was retiring as Maryland's basketball coach, Brey's camp and Notre Dame claimed the Irish were hard at work extending his contract to keep him in South Bend, Ind. But here's the thing: it isn't happening.

Listen instead to other reports citing Brey's interest in returning to his native mid-Atlantic. Sources close to he and Maryland have said both sides want the hire.

In a sport where the illogical happens far too often, this move makes sense for all involved. Brey has proven success, has recruited Maryland, D.C. and Virginia well before and, as a former Duke assistant, understands the tenor of the ACC.

Although money isn't a major concern, Maryland officials have to like the fact that Brey's current $800,000 annual contract is pennies compared to Williams' $2 million.

Few better for job

Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times

Mike Brey wants the job. Sean Miller should have taken the job. Mark Few will get the job.

Few's Gonzaga honeymoon could last a lifetime, but a handful of appearances in a regional semifinal aren't going to leave much of a legacy in an era when mid-majors George Mason and Butler have advanced to the Final Four. Remember that it was Dan Monson, Few's predecessor, who took the Zags all the way to a regional final in 1999.

Few has never missed the NCAA tournament in his 12 seasons in Spokane, Wash., but he's also never taken Gonzaga to the Final Four.

Maryland would afford Few all the trappings than Gonzaga cannot: ACC stature, regular hobnobbing with Mike Krzyzewski and Roy Williams, an East Coast recruiting base, etc. It would take Few only a year or two to have the Terps back in the national picture as one of the country's elite.

Smith a safe choice

Ron Fritz, Baltimore Sun

After this weekend, the answer just might be "anyone who will take it." But the Maryland coaching job is still a Top 20 job, maybe even a Top 10 job, so Terps athletic director Kevin Anderson has to take his time and get it right.

All the top names have been out there and many have already declined interest. Does Anderson reach out to a young up-and-comer like Shaka Smart of Virginia Commonwealth or Chris Mooney of Richmond? Both just signed long-term deals. Or does he now try for someone who has a proven track record like Tubby Smith of Minnesota or Rick Barnes of Texas? Mark Turgeon of Texas A&M would fall somewhere in between.

If his choice for football coach was any indication, Anderson will keep it proven and keep it safe. Smith was born and raised in Maryland and has won a national championship. It's Tubby time.

Turgeon could do job

Brian Hamilton, Chicago Tribune

Securing a coach just isn't the big-program browbeating it used to be, huh? Maryland, a program oozing potential, can't bigfoot its way to a hire because money is basically good everywhere now and the pressure isn't as asphyxiating in most places.

That's why coaches at Butler and Notre Dame, comfortable in their fiefdoms, won't be the next coach at Maryland. But the coach at Texas A&M will be. Mark Turgeon simply won't stay at a place with zero cachet and nowhere near the resources and profile of Maryland.

He's 46, spry enough to rebuild an emaciated Terrapins roster. He's won 71 percent of his games at Texas A&M, so he's got the acumen to succeed. And as long as he does that, the hand-wringing over a less-than-marquee hire will end quickly. Anyway, who else is left?